Imagine stepping off a plane in Reykjavík and catching a whiff of sulphur in the air 🌋. It's the signature scent of Iceland's powerful geothermal energy – the secret behind heating 90% of local homes. In a region where ice meets innovation, this green transition matters more than ever ❄️🔋.
This October, nearly 70 countries from Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East converged on the Arctic Circle Assembly, one of the world's biggest gatherings on Arctic cooperation. From sustainable governance and Indigenous rights to high-stakes scientific collaboration, the talks cover it all 🌐.
One headline-grabbing session asked: can multilateralism survive when 'Trump and Putin are in the same room'? It's like an IR drama mixing politics and planet – a major reminder that cooperation remains our best tool against future challenges.
Founded in 1996, the Arctic Council unites eight member states – Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, and the United States – plus 13 observers such as China, India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Debate swirls around whether to expand the Council and how to tackle risks emerging from ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially after Russia's 2022 actions in Ukraine.
'Let's not ignore the reason why we are not working with Russia – because they attacked our neighbors,' says Germany's Ambassador to Iceland, Clarissa Duvigneau. Since 2023, the chairmanship has shifted from Russia to Norway, and now to Denmark, reflecting changing alliances.
Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former Icelandic president and chair of the Arctic Circle nonprofit, warns the world is close to a tipping point. He calls for science diplomacy to restore frozen bridges between East and West, pointing out that Cold War rivals once collaborated more on research than they do today 🧪🤝.
As the Arctic heats up twice as fast as the rest of the planet, the Assembly's message is clear: it's time to unite, innovate and turn the heat up on global cooperation before we cross that point of no return 🔥🌍.
Reference(s):
'We're close to a tipping point,' Arctic Circle chairman tells CGTN
cgtn.com
